K-pop fans are once again sharply divided as dating rumors between BTS’s Jungkook and aespa’s Winter continue to spread—this time accompanied by unusual silence from both agencies. Many now believe the lack of response is essentially a “silent acknowledgment.”
Posts claiming the two idols are in a relationship have circulated rapidly across online communities in recent days. Netizens pointed to what they believe are matching or similar items, including:
- identical three-dog-face tattoos placed in similar positions
- similar shorts, slippers, bracelets, and in-ear monitors
- matching ring-finger “couple nails”
Some users also noted that Jungkook visited an aespa concert during his military service, interpreting it as a meaningful gesture.
Another widely discussed claim concerns Jungkook’s current Instagram username “mnijungkook.” Fans argued that when the letters n and i are reversed, it becomes “minjungkook,” which resembles “Minjeong”—Winter’s legal name.
A clip from a live broadcast featuring aespa’s Winter and Karina has gone viral after Winter unexpectedly blurted out “Jeon Jungkook” while trying to guess a name Karina was mouthing—her grandmother’s. Netizens noted that Winter dropped honorifics when saying Jungkook’s name, something many interpreted as unusually familiar — especially amid ongoing dating rumors linking the two idols.
Given their massive popularity, the rumor spread at lightning speed. Yet both BigHit Music and SM Entertainment have remained silent. This is particularly striking because both agencies responded swiftly in past dating controversies:
In 2021, when Jungkook faced dating rumors with actress Lee Yoo-bi, BigHit stated the claim was “not true.”
This time, however, neither agency has issued a denial—leading many to wonder if the rumors may have substance. Fans speculate that if the rumors were baseless, the companies would have moved quickly to stop unnecessary speculation.
Jungkook, as part of BTS, is preparing for the group’s complete return from military service next spring, followed by an expected large-scale world tour. His post-service schedule is projected to be one of the most high-profile comebacks in K-pop.
Winter, meanwhile, is riding a career high with aespa, following three consecutive mega-hits—”Supernova,” “Armageddon,” and “Whiplash.” The group recently swept multiple awards at a major ceremony.
Because both are essential members of top-tier K-pop groups, the agencies’ silence has drawn even more attention. Fans and industry observers are now watching closely to see whether the rumor will escalate into an official acknowledgment—or be dismissed as speculation.
Sources: Netizenbuzz